Gotta Love Them Cowboys ~Farmington NM Photographer ~ Rachel Clare

July 28, 2008 | Filed Under Just Because, Mine | 3 Comments

I love New Mexico. It will forever be my home. I love the mix of cultures, I love the green chile, I love the pick-up trucks, I love the pinon trees. I love that I have so much family in one little town. I love the smell when it rains- that of wet dirt (though my husband says that smell reminds him of tomatoes ???), I love the three rivers. Deep down, I even love the cowboy culture.

I grew up with horses and a farm and a cowgirl Mother, but never considered myself a “cowgirl” by any means. Every now and then, however, I really wish I were one. Not a fake one, like I am when I wear my cowboy hat and go ride the horses, but a real one. With boots and tight jeans and a big belt and a horse of my own… And I felt that all over again this weekend when I went (in my cowboy hat… and shorts and flipflops) to the National High School Finals Rodeo which was held here in my hometown this year. I LOVE the rodeo! [But it's sort of like my love of football and basketball- I couldn't care less about the NBA or the NFL, but I LOVE college ball].

Yeah, it’s sort of like that. I’m not sure that I’d go to many National Rodeo Circut Rodeos, but I love the National High School Finals rodeo. I love it that these KIDS are out there doing stuff that’s, well, SCARY. It’s so fun to watch. We watched the barrel races, the poles, goat tying, calf wrestling, and the fun ones- bronc riding and bull riding. I’m posting this 2 days late because I wanted to know the fate of a 17-year old Louisiana boy before I posted. JT and I were watching the bull riding when this poor kid (in a cowboy hat, not a helmet as some of those guys wear) got bucked off, went under the bull, got stomped on 3 or 4 times, then kicked in the back of the head. I was sure he didn’t survive it, and I felt so horrible the rest of the day. However, he did survive, he underwent emergency back surgery and is still in critical condition but is conscious and can feel his extremities. Knowing he’s okay, I feel that I can publish this post and gush about how much I love the rodeo and how fun it was to attend this weekend. And to let you all know that I want to be a 17-year-old rodeo finalist. Yep- that’s today’s daydream.

My little man in his new boots…

And, my favorite shot of the day…

Sneak Peek for the C. kids

July 25, 2008 | Filed Under Children | 5 Comments

Tonight: Lighting- perfect. Clothing choices- couldn’t be better. Colors- awesome. Cute kids- got it. Little Miss E. is going to end up in Milano! At one point, she looked at me and said, “Um, Rachel? Do you want me smiling, or not smiling?” ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I love 6 year old girls!! The boys, not so interested, but I CAUGHT them anyway! Cute, cute kids. So here you go Cassie- I hope you are as happy with them as I am! Thanks for coming out in the wind tonight. Despite that, I think the evening was PERFECT for a photo shoot!

Also known as…

July 23, 2008 | Filed Under Children, Just Because | 3 Comments

PROCRASTINATION:

Procrastination is a type of behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite procrastination as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.
For an individual, procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of personal productivity, the creation of crisis and the disapproval of others for not fulfilling one’s responsibilities or commitments. These combined feelings can promote further procrastination. While it is normal for people to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

Or maybe, I’m just lazy and don’t want to do anything productive tonight. I’ve got laundry to fold, an entire house to organize and clean, a whining dog outside my window waiting to be appeased, a little boy to wake up and take to the bathroom, floors to vacuum, and dishes to put away. Among a WHOLE LOT OF OTHER THINGS. But alas, I’m going to finish this post, check my email and go read before falling asleep with the light on and the book in my hands.

Here are some shots from a few weeks ago- the GIRLS at the park. (Doesn’t happen very often in this family!) All the boys were off engaging in other activities (hikes, swimming lessons), so we decided to take the girls out!

(Note: they’re not yet into “working” the camera, but dang- they’re cute!)

(Below is Mine. I swear, this profile makes me swoon. I hope she keeps that little button nose for the REST. OF. HER. LIFE.)

Cousins

July 22, 2008 | Filed Under Children | 4 Comments

Grammy hired me to do a session for her 5 grandkids who are all living in the same town now. Three wild boys, two sweet girls. I’ll be honest, it was sort of like herding cats, but I couldn’t be happier with the great shots we got! If we weren’t dodging the lady with the leaf-blower, or yelling over the guy mowing the lawn, we were running all over creation and laughing a lot. Thanks, you guys- all of you!- for a really fun time this morning. I’ll have your gallery up soon!!

(And one of sweet little E.)

Extending NM sessions

July 19, 2008 | Filed Under Announcements | Leave a Comment

10 Days Old

July 17, 2008 | Filed Under Babies | 4 Comments

And she didn’t make a peep! Is she the most darling thing or what?? This is the new baby (born on the 4th of July) of a neighbor of mine. I tell you- I’d ~~kill~~ LOVE to have that skin. She is SUCH a pretty baby. Sarah, thanks for coming over. She’s so beautiful!

Little Boy B.

July 17, 2008 | Filed Under Children | 1 Comment

I had a quick, but FUN shoot with little B. on Monday morning. All boy, all over the place. And too cute! Here are some of the fun ones we got:

(And one of little A.)

A Sneak Peek for the T. fam

July 13, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments

They called little W. “serious”. I call him calm. This baby is as sweet as can be, and has really fun folks. Part of the reason I love this job is because I get to meet the coolest people! We had a nice time, enjoying a cool evening with clouds. I had a SERIOUSLY hard time choosing which pics to post here. Too many great ones! Hope you guys like them!

At Home with Little F.

July 10, 2008 | Filed Under Children | 2 Comments

Have I ever mentioned that I love this job?? Tonight’s session was easy and carefree. Little F. –Mmm! I just want to ~~eat him up~~ give him a great big squeeze! Those curls are so beautiful (I can still say that- he’s not yet two), and his sweet little personality… so fun! Not to mention, this boy is SHARP AS A TACK. He has a beautiful garden (okay, he helps his folks in the beautiful garden), and was HONESTLY correcting me on my gardening tools. I kid you not. For the first time in my life, I ate a tasty carrot straight out of the ground! A true treat. Thanks to the R. family for a LOVELY evening.

Silly Boys